Flag of Malta
Tradition states the national colors of white and red, deriving from part of the pennant of the Hautevilles, were given to the Maltese in 1090 by Count Roger the Norman in thanks for the hospitality shown to him when he came to expel the Arabs. The red-fimbriated George Cross in the canton was added in 1943 after the medal’s award to the islanders for heroism in withstanding the Axis powers’ three-year siege. A blue canton set behind the cross was dropped in 1964 when Malta became independent after 150 years of British rule. The traditional four armed, eight-pointed Maltese Cross appears in white on a red field to form the civil ensign.
The ratio of the flag is 2:3.
